In accordance with the authority vested in me by M.G.L. c. 131,
§ 5, as most recently amended by St. 1967, c. 802, I hereby declare annual
open seasons for the hunting of cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares, and
black-tailed jackrabbits, subject to the following:
(a)Definitions: For the purposes of 321 CMR
3.02(10), the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
Shotgun Deer Season means that season when it is lawful to hunt
deer with a shotgun as provided for in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(b)3.
Zone or Zones means the Massachusetts wildlife management zones
as described in 321 CMR 3.02(4)(o).
(b)Open Seasons and Zones:
1. Cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hare may
be hunted in Zones 01 through 14 from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to
the following last day of February.
(c)Season Closure. Notwithstanding the
provisions of 321 CMR
3.02(10)(b), there shall be no open season for the
hunting or possession of cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hare during the
shotgun deer season.
(d)Falconry.
Licensed falconers holding a valid hunting or sporting license and hunting with
or by means of a falcon or other raptor may hunt cottontail rabbits and
snowshoe hare in Zones 01 - 14 from the first Saturday after Columbus Day to
the following March 15th, provided, that said falconers shall abide by all
other applicable provisions of M.G.L. c. 131 and 321 CMR while pursuing
cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hare.
(e)Hunting Hours. The hunting hours each
calendar day of the open season shall begin at 1/2 hour before
sunrise.
(f)Bag Limits. A person
shall not kill or take more than the following bag limits:
1. five cottontail rabbits in one day, nor
possess at any time more than ten;
2.
two snowshoe hares in one day, nor possess at any time more than
four.
Notes
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1268, eff. 8/29/2014.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1288, eff. 6/5/2015.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1292, eff. 7/31/2015.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1294, eff. 8/28/2015.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1312, eff.
5/6/2016.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1320, eff.
8/26/2016.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1338, eff.
5/5/2017.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1345, eff.
8/11/2017.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1356, eff.
1/12/2018.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1364, eff.
5/4/2018.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1369, eff.
7/13/2018.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1382, eff.
1/11/2019.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1389, eff.
7/13/2018.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1390, eff.
5/3/2019.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1404, eff.
11/15/2019.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1418, eff.
5/29/2020.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1421, eff.
7/10/2020.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1445, eff.
6/11/2021.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1457, eff.
11/26/2021.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1470, eff.
5/27/2022.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1473, eff.
5/27/2022.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1486, eff.
1/6/2023.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1489, eff.
1/6/2023.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1499, eff.
7/7/2023.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1502, eff.
7/7/2023.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1510, eff.
12/8/2023.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1522, eff.
5/24/2024.
Amended by
Mass
Register Issue 1525, eff.
5/24/2024.
Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 5.
Last Revised: 1/6/23.
